Joe Paterno, Penn State and The Colorado Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Laws
I am sure by this time - you have read about the failure of individuals in the Penn State hierarchy to report suspected child abuse allegedly occurring on the Penn State campus. You may be wondering what Colorado Law requires in the way of Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse.
Under most state laws - there is NO REQUIREMENT that an individual report a crime - UNDER ANY AND ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. This general rule is the case with certain critical excpetions.
In Colorado certain legal relationships require - upon suspecting an act of child abuse - that certain individuals report crimes against children.
I have written an article:
Here is the link:
Colorado Law Compelling Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse
....that addresses who these mandatory reporters are... They are such professionals as therapists, police, teachers, nurses, doctors - and others who have a legal duty to protect children.
Here is a complete list of Colorado Mandatory Reporters
physician or surgeon, including a physician in training;
. child health associate;
. medical examiner or coroner;
. dentist;
. osteopath;
. optometrist;
. chiropractor;
. chiropodist or podiatrist;
. registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;
. hospital personnel engaged in the admission, care or treatment of patients;
. Christian science practitioner;
. public or private school official or employee;
. social worker or worker in a family care home or child care center;
. mental health professional;
. dental hygienist;
. psychologist; physical therapist;
. veterinarian;
. peace officer;
. pharmacist;
. commercial film and photographic print processor;
. firefighter;
. victim's advocate;
. licensed professional counselor;
. licensed marriage and family therapists;
. unlicensed psychotherapists;
. clergy member;
. registered dietician;
. worker in the Colorado Department of Human Services;
. juvenile parole and probation officers;
. child and family investigators;
. officers and agents of the state bureau of animal protection, and animal control officers.
The failure to report a suspected act of child abuse is a crime in Colorado -- but only a misdemeanor.
I end with the question -- just what is child abuse?
Here is the law:
